This unit will give us an introduction to the Engineering Design Process and a chance to develop a unique solution to a real world problem. The Engineering Design Process is what engineers of all kinds use to solve problems. The Engineering Design Process is:

Define the Problem & Create a Design Brief

Research & Brainstorm

Pick a Solution

Build a Prototype

Test & Evaluate

Communicate Results

As we work through the Engineering Design Process, you will work with a small group to identify a real-world problem. You will then develop an idea for a solution to the problem, write-up some statements about how your solution will solve the problem, and then design your solution in Autodesk before sharing your ideas.

STEP 1: Work with your group to develop a design brief, research, and brainstorm possible solutions

STEP 2: Work with your group to pick a solution, write-up how the solution will work, and develop a small business plan

STEP 3: Work with your group to design your solution in Autodesk and share your work with others.

When you’re done, you’ll understand the steps of the Engineering Design Process and will have a complete submission for UAF’s annual Arctic Innovation Design Competition!

The first part of our unit starts with a discussion of the Engineering Design Process. Watch the video on the Design Process and add to your notes in your engineering notebook. Then, work with your team to clarify your design brief: state the problem in a single sentence and then describe why it’s a problem. Go further and specify what criteria and constraints your solution must meet. Have Mr. Benshoof approve your team’s design. Finally, work with your team to research the topic online, then brainstorm at least 20 possible solutions to the problem.

GRADING & PROCESS

Watch the video on the Engineering Design Process and add to your notes in your engineering notebook

Work with your team to develop your design brief, recording it in your engineering notebook in the proper format

Have Mr. Benshoof approve your team’s design brief

Work with your team to research the problem and brainstorm at least 20 ideas in your engineering notebook

Once you’ve got your list of ideas, the next step is to choose what ideas will work to solve the problem and then organize your solution. With your team, decide which of your brainstormed ideas can be combined into a workable solution. Work with your team to clarify that solution, sketch what it will look like, and divide the writing prompts among your team.

GRADING & PROCESS

Work with your team to decide what your final solution will be, who will write which parts of the submission, and what the name of your product would be.

Summarize your solution in writing in your engineering notebook, then sketch what that solution will look like using either isometric or multiview sketching.

Write your assigned responses to the Arctic Innovation Design Challenge solution description and get them edited by a team-member.

The final step to completing the engineering design process is to share your work with other people and evaluate your potential success. As we finish this up, you’ll load your mini-essays into the Arctic innovation Challenge website. Then you’ll learn about what a decision matrix is and create one to evaluate your own idea. Have two classmates not from your design team evaluate your idea and record their feedback. Then, have each person in your design team create an Autodesk model of what your product will look like.